Maddie Blackburn

 Student profile – Professional Placement Year 

Graduating year: 2026
Course studied: BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition with PPY

Maddie completed a placement at Combe Grove Health and Wellness Centre in Bath.

Why did you choose to undertake a PPY? 

I chose to complete a Professional Placement Year because I felt it would put me in the best position in terms of employment following on from university.

Graduate jobs can be hard to come by, especially in the nutrition field, so having real industry experience was important to me.

What did your role entail? 

My role as a Student Nutritionist at Combe Grove encompassed shadowing the Nutrition team in the delivery of workshops on nutrition, sleep, movement, mindset and environment, as well as shadowing nutrition consultations.

I also helped look after the Metabolic Membership at Combe Grove, where clients have access to body composition analysis, which I helped deliver and got to interact with the clients first hand.

My role also involved lots of admin as I looked after approximately 300 members' nutrition consultation bookings and ordering at-home blood test kits.

How did you find and secure your placements? 

I secured my placement by emailing a variety of different companies and individuals within the industry and waiting for replies.

I had an online meeting with a lovely dietitian from Combe Grove where we discussed what the placement entailed, and it all took off from there!

What have been the best and most challenging aspects of your placement? 

The two main things that made my placement experience great were the fabulous team of nutritionists and dietitians I got to work with and learn from, as well as the beautiful 70 acre setting in which Combe Grove is located.

Challenges included settling into my role within the company when I first began, and dealing with real-life clients in the moment can sometimes be tricky!

How did the PPY support your career aspirations?

The Professional Placement Year is a great opportunity to establish what you really want to do as a career, and it gives you a real insight into the working world.

It also allows you to gain experience which is often needed to be able to get jobs post university. It has been incredibly beneficial.

Do you have any advice for students considering a PPY? 

I would recommend taking a Professional Placement Year. It is tough at times and going from university life to a 9-5 job is exhausting, but it's so worth it.

You gain connections, make new friends, gain invaluable experience and get a taste of what it's like to be in the working world.